Google's AI summaries appear automatically in Chrome, and you can disable them in your search settings

Google added AI-generated summaries to search results in 2024, showing a brief answer at the top of the page before you click anything. These summaries pull from multiple websites and aim to save you time. If you don't want them, you can turn them off in your Google Account settings — it takes about two minutes and applies across all your devices where you're signed in.

The feature is called Search Generative Experience (SGE) in Google's settings, though Google has started calling it "AI Overviews" in the search results themselves. The toggle to disable it lives in your Google Account preferences, not in Chrome's browser settings. Once you turn it off, you'll see traditional search results with links and snippets instead of AI summaries.

Key Takeaways

  • Google's AI summaries are controlled through your Google Account settings, not through Chrome's browser preferences.
  • You can disable the feature by going to myaccount.google.com, selecting "Search settings," and toggling off "Generative AI features."
  • Turning off AI summaries affects all devices where you're signed into that Google Account.
  • If you're signed out of Google or using Incognito mode, you can also disable AI summaries through the search settings gear icon on the results page itself.

Disable AI summaries through your Google Account

The most permanent way to turn off AI summaries is through your Google Account settings. Go to myaccount.google.com in any browser. On the left side, click "Data & privacy." Scroll down until you see "Search settings," then click it.

Look for the section labeled "Generative AI features" or "Search Generative Experience." You'll see a toggle switch next to it. Click the toggle to turn it off. Google will ask you to confirm — click the confirmation button, and the change takes effect immediately. From that point on, you won't see AI summaries in your search results on any device where you're signed into that account.

Turn off AI summaries without signing into your account

If you're using Chrome in Incognito mode or you're not signed into your Google Account, you can disable AI summaries directly from the search results page. Run a search on Google.com, and look at the top right of the search results. Click the gear icon (settings).

A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Search settings." On the settings page, scroll down to find "Generative AI features" and toggle it off. This disables AI summaries for that browser session or device, depending on whether you're in Incognito mode. If you're signed out, the setting may reset when you clear your browser cookies, so you may need to repeat this step periodically.

What happens when you disable AI summaries

Once you turn off the feature, Google search results return to their traditional format. You'll see a list of links with page titles and short text snippets underneath, the way search results looked before AI summaries were added. The search results themselves don't change — only the AI-generated summary at the top disappears.

You can still use all other Google search features normally: filters by date, image search, news results, and the "People also ask" section. Disabling AI summaries doesn't affect any other Google services or features in Chrome.

Why you might want to disable AI summaries

Some people turn off AI summaries because they prefer to read the original sources themselves rather than a condensed version. Others find the summaries sometimes contain errors or outdated information, since they're generated from multiple sources that may contradict each other. A few users simply find the feature distracting or prefer the cleaner look of traditional search results.

If you're researching something that requires accuracy — medical information, legal details, financial advice — reading the original sources directly is often safer than relying on an AI summary. The summaries are useful for quick overviews of straightforward topics, but they're not a substitute for careful reading when the stakes are higher.

Re-enable AI summaries if you change your mind

If you disable AI summaries and later want to turn them back on, follow the same steps: go to myaccount.google.com, select "Data & privacy," then "Search settings," and toggle "Generative AI features" back on. The change takes effect immediately, and AI summaries will start appearing in your search results again.

You can toggle the feature on and off as many times as you want. There's no limit to how often you can change this setting, and Google doesn't penalize you for turning it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling AI summaries affect my search results ranking or visibility?

No. Turning off AI summaries only changes what you see on your own device. It doesn't affect how Google ranks websites or how your searches are recorded. Websites still appear in search results the same way — the AI summary just won't appear at the top.

Will AI summaries come back automatically if Google updates Chrome?

No. Your preference to disable AI summaries is saved in your Google Account settings, not in Chrome itself. Chrome updates won't change your setting. If Google ever removes the feature entirely, your setting simply won't matter anymore.

Can I disable AI summaries for some searches but not others?

Not through the settings. The toggle is all-or-nothing — it either applies to all your searches or none. If you want AI summaries for some searches and not others, you'd need to toggle the setting on and off manually each time, which isn't practical.

What if the settings page looks different on my device?

Google occasionally updates the layout of its settings pages. If you can't find "Generative AI features," try searching for "Search Generative Experience" on the settings page, or look for any toggle related to "AI" or "summaries." The feature name may vary slightly depending on your region or when your account was created.